Most people feel some fear and worry about childbirth, but for people with tokophobia, the fear is so severe and intense that it interferes with their daily lives.
Some people experience tokophobia before they ever give birth; others develop it after giving birth. If tokophobia develops after childbirth, it’s called secondary tokophobia.
Symptoms of tokophobia
People with tokophobia may have irrational thoughts that are hard to control, and they may go out of their way to avoid things related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Some common symptoms and experiences of people with tokophobia include:
- Anxiety and depression
- A need to avoid sexual intercourse
- Feelings of disconnectedness from their partner, if they have one
- Extreme fear of certain outcomes, such as:
- Miscarriage
- Experiencing a stillbirth
- Dying during childbirth
And for people with secondary tokophobia, they may also experience:
- Extreme fear about their baby’s health
- Fear and dread at the thought of another pregnancy or giving birth again
- A strong desire for a C-section for future deliveries, even if it’s not medically needed
Non-birthing partners can also experience tokophobia. For them, tokophobia is an overwhelming fear for the safety of their partner or child.
Where does tokophobia come from?
People can develop secondary tokophobia for lots of different reasons. Here are a few life experiences that may contribute:
- You’ve had a traumatic birth experience, including stillbirth
- You have a history of anxiety or depression
- You’ve experienced sexual abuse, rape, or domestic violence
- You were pregnant at a young age or when you didn’t have the resources and support you needed
- You have a fear or distrust of doctors or feel extremely uncomfortable being touched
- You have a fear of losing control
Getting help for tokophobia
People usually expect you to be happy and excited about the idea of pregnancy, so it can be hard to talk about not feeling that way. People who experience tokophobia might feel ashamed, or like they should hide their feelings. But know that if you are having symptoms of tokophobia, you’re not alone, and telling friends, family, and your healthcare provider how you feel is a big step toward finding relief.
There are treatments that can ease tokophobia, including:
- Therapy to help you understand the reasons for your tokophobia and develop coping strategies. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a type of therapy that focuses on specific challenges, can be especially helpful.
- Medications to treat underlying conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
- Mind-body practices that help lower stress, like yoga, meditation, and other relaxation techniques.
It’s also helpful to seek social support from friends and family, especially from people with similar experiences.
If you are having symptoms of tokophobia, your OB-GYN, primary care provider, or a psychologist or psychiatrist can help you find the support you need.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
Sources:
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Tokophobia: What to Know About This Severe Fear of Pregnancy and Childbirth. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/tokophobia-what-to-know-about-this-severe-fear-of-pregnancy-and-childbirth
- Cleveland Clinic. Tokophobia (Fear of Childbirth). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22711-tokophobia-fear-of-childbirth
- Verwell Mind. Tokophobia: Fear of Childbirth and Pregnancy. https://www.verywellmind.com/tokophobia-overview-4684507
